Eight home runs, batting at an average of .235 with a .726 OPS. That’s how Anthony Volpe’s season is going so far. But these numbers won’t matter if an error by you (even a tiny one) costs your team the game! That’s what happened with the New York Yankees. After losing back-to-back six games against the Red Sox and the Angels, we might as well say their playoff dreams are fading off. With a run of defeats, they have found themselves in a downward spiral, even though they are leading the AL East. 

Now, the 24-year-old shortstop’s name is making headlines after the heartbreaking loss to the Angels. While the Yankees managed to score runs on Wednesday, a costly mistake by Anthony Volpe has put him under the radar. 

As the Yankees-Angels game entered the eighth inning, with all bases loaded and one out, Volpe fumbled on a routine ground ball. One from Jo Adell of the Angels that Volpe allowed to play, throwing it to get one out at second base. However, the strategy backfired. The Angels scored and gained a 3-2 lead. Post-game, when asked about whether the execution was wrong, Volpe responded, “I mean, right off the bat, I got to be aggressive, go get the ball and make the play. I mean, as far as that’s all it is. The first read off the bat.”

While he noted that “every game is a lesson,” Volpe seemed well aware of the mistake. The execution was probably wrong, and he didn’t shy away from confessing. Weighing upon the team’s swing decisions, he added, “I got to take a look at it. I mean, I know I could do better; everyone holds themselves to really high standards, and we know we aren’t getting the job done. So, we are going to keep, like I said, working and holding each other to that.”

For Anthony Volpe, every day is an opening day. So, he prefers to learn from everything that’s happening in the diamond.

Now, it’s not just Volpe who opened up about the mistake. Even manager Aaron Boone thought it was a fairly sharp hit that was custom-made. “Looked like it hopped up a little bit; I haven’t watched the replay of it yet. Just didn’t handle the ball.”

Well, errors are part of every game. But if something like this occurs during a possible double play and ends the game, it might start making the buzz. With the Yankees’ lead over the Rays gradually shrinking to 1.5 games, it won’t hurt the Pinstripes to stay a little cautious. 

With the season progressing, the luxury for error is getting razor thin. And it’s not just Anthony Volpe; the Yankees’ offense is struggling, too. 

Manager Boone opens up on Wednesday’s loss against the Angels

Despite scoring runs after 30 consecutive scoreless innings, the New York Yankees’ sixth straight loss is really getting concerning. While Anthony Volpe’s mistake was attributed to the loss, allowing the Angels to win by 3-2, their offensive struggles cannot be denied.

Speaking after the game, Aaron Boone pointed out that the hitters are trying too hard to score runs. “You want to be the guy to get the hit, get it going,” Boone was quoted by Jorge Castillo of ESPN. “But that’s where the patience comes in. You can’t obsess over the result. You can’t go up there thinking, ‘I’ve got to get a hit. I gotta do this.’ It’s got to be, ‘I gotta take a tough at-bat.’ And when you’re doing that, that’s when the pitches in your zone show up and that’s when you take advantage. And this group will do that.”

While the skipper believing in his team is something fans can stay positive about, the BA of the hitters is really shocking! Other than Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt, there’s barely anyone above that .250 mark. Judge continues to do what he does best, posting 27 home runs at a .366 average with a 1.192 OPS. Goldschmidt posted seven home runs at a .300 average and .796 OPS. And Cody Bellinger is just at a .251 average and has posted 10 home runs. If we look at Trent Grisham, Jasson Dominguez, or Anthony Volpe, none have shown their mettle.

Now that the Yankees’ losing streak is continuing, fans are probably wondering how long this slump will last.

While Aaron Boone feels that they had better swings that night, hitting some balls quite well, it’s just the beginning. With Carlos Rodon starting for them and Volpe trying to improve, the Yankees will try their best to avoid the sweep in the Bronx against the Angels tonight. Well, a tuning point would be nice to experience…